365 Art Calendar Challenge

Phew, that was a big job.  Only got my Pink Pig yesterday as my friend Pat had been all the way to Emiley to buy them to make sure we got them in time and what with the snow and me being away, we only managed to get together yesterday.  I gessoed the double spread, then used Claudine Hellmuth's paints in various colours, bit of stamping, bit of this, bit of that, and Bob's your uncle.  I must say that having now seen it, I will do February differently.  It's amazing isn't it how we are never satisfied and always feel we could have done better.  Anyway, ready to start tomorrow, although I may do a few more alterations until I'm happier with it.  This challenge is being run by the fabulously creative Kate Crane, you must take a look at her blog and of course the various publications her work appears.....even the good old USA!  Jill is doing a more sedate blog and she was the original inspiration, please take a look.  It's not too late for you to take part.  A Happy, Peaceful and Creative New Year to all of you out there in craft/blog land.

Magical......what Christmas is about

Last night we took our two granddaughters to a Nativity play where all the children dress up and take part, with actors doing the speaking bits.  It was nothing short of magical.  To see the children's faces, so intense as they listened to the story.  Lucie was Mary (and got to ride the donkey!) and Charlotte was the Angel Gabriel.

Mary with Joseph

All the children

At the end of the play the children were allowed to ride on the donkey and  cuddle the lambs.

Granddad, Charlotte and Lucie

At this point, the lambs were getting a bit fed up and by the time it was Charlottes turn, he just wouldn't keep still, so Granddad had to help restrain him, you can see the lamb here licking Charlotte, which she thought was hilarious.

And guess who arrived at the end..................

Better late than never

It was my birthday last Friday and I had some beautiful hand made cards from my creative friends, but I've been a bit off colour, so my apologies for not putting them on my blog before.  I was overwhelmed with the creativity and superb workmanship that has gone into them.

From l - r Ann (no blog), Lynne and Pat (no blog)

Jill (no blog)

Sandra, Sue and Mo (no blog)

Sarah (no blog), Pat and Chanelle.

Thank you all for taking the trouble,  I love them all and hope everyone enjoys looking at them.

Christmas Ornaments

I bought some little wooden blanks from Craft Den and decided to decorate them to put them on the tree.  I covered them with gesso, then transparent Viva Croco paint, allowed to dry overnight and then coated reverse sides, allowed to dry.  Sprayed them with various colours of glimmer mists and finished off with Viva precious metal colour in blackberry and turquoise.  These were difficult to photograph, you'll just have to believe me that colours are rich and catch in the light beautifully.

Well, off on my travels again, down my see my granddaughters in their respective Christmas Plays (not allowed to call them nativity!).  Charlotte is in the infants and she has the leading role, or so she tells me and Lucie is in the juniors and has the leading role in hers.  Obviously both talented and take after their Mama (that's me), only kidding, although I did used to be a thespian in my younger days and have actually appeared on the London stage (and not just sweeping up).